ESPN's "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" Returns for Fourth Season Starting January 19
· Houston Rockets and M.V.P. Candidate James Harden Host Los Angeles Lakers in Week One Showdown
· Voices of NBA Saturdays: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson & Lisa Salters
· Special Week One Matinee Edition of Primetime Showcases Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook and Paul George
The fourth season of ESPN's NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by HyperX Gaming launches this weekend, Jan. 19, with a week one showdown. The Houston Rockets and M.V.P. candidate James Harden will host the Los Angeles Lakers, who are led by LeBron James, at 8:30 p.m. ET. (James is currently recovering from injury and his status is unclear). NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC generally starts at 8:30 p.m. each week with NBA Countdown presented by Straight Talk Wireless preceding the broadcast at 8 p.m. The weekly broadcasts will air on ABC and stream via the ESPN App.
The longest-tenured NBA Finals broadcast team will reunite to serve as the voices of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC - Mike Breen will provide the call alongside analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Additionally, Lisa Salters will join the trio for her fourth season as the reporter for NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC. Michelle Beadle will host NBA Countdown with analysts Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce.
ABC will also broadcast a special matinee edition of the series on Saturday, Jan. 19 - NBA Saturday presented by HyperX Gaming - as the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid host the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook and Paul George. The game airs at 3:30 p.m. with Mark Jones, analyst, and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown and reporter Israel Gutierrez calling the action.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC broadcasts will also feature additional production elements, including multiple Super Slo Mo cameras to provide compelling replays. Select NBA players will also be mic'd up each week.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC schedule:
Date Game
Jan. 19 Oklahoma City Thunder at Philadelphia 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
Jan. 26 Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics
Feb. 2 Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Feb. 9 Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
Feb. 23 Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
Mar. 2 Golden State Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers
Mar. 9 Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Mar. 16 Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC and NBA Countdown broadcasts will also include exclusive sit-down interviews, essays and other feature content connected to the top storylines in the sport.
ABC's NBA coverage continues with the return of NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Mountain Dew Ice on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, with a special week one 2 p.m. start time. The Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving will host the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook.
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